Minnesota Couple Open City's First Indoor Dog Park

Juli Seeger and husband Mike recently launched Ruff House, one of the first indoor dog parks in Edina, Minn. The 7,000 square-foot building is filled with toys, a doggie tetherball, white picket fences and an emerald-painted floor and now open for business 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Seeger said the concept came to her out of a need to exercise her four-legged friends, and a dislike for just about every aspect of traditional dog parks. While the business is currently focused on providing a safe play space for dogs, she foresees puppy socialization classes, as well as some one-on-one dog training.

“I don’t like wet dogs,” Seeger said. “I don’t like to be cold, I don’t want to stand out in the sun, I don’t know if there are breaks in the fence and I don’t want to deal with ticks on my dog. Outdoor dog parks just aren’t a good fit for me.”

In an effort to make clients feel safe bringing their dogs to the park any time of the day, Seeger said they installed a coffee station. The Ruff House will be hosting a grand opening party to welcome locals to get a taste of the indoor dog park. The festivities will run from noon to 7 p.m. on Aug. 12. For more information go to www.ruffhousemn.com.